Fruit-basket machine.



No. 640,978. Paented lan. 9, |900. W. R. VAN VLIET.

FRUIT BASKET MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 3, 1897.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet vl.

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Patented lan. 9 -l900.

W. R. VAN VLIET.

FRUIT BASKET MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 3, 1897.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented V1an. 9, |900.

W. R. VAN VLIET.

FRUIT BASKET MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 3, 1897.)

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No. 640,978. Patented lan. 9, |900.

W. R. VAN VLIET.

-FRUIT BASKET MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 3. 1897-) Wl TNESS:

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ATS.` PATENT FRUIT-BASKET MACHINE.

`SPECIlFllCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,978, dated January 9, 1900i Application filed February by, 1897. Serial No. 621,825. (No model.) y

To @ZZ whom) it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, WARREN RENSALAER VAN VLIET, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of East Stroudsburg, in the county of Monroe and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit- Basket Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This inven tion relates to machines for makin g fruit-baskets and similar articles 3 and one object thereof is to provide a machine for this purpose which is automatic in operation and which is designed to make baskets which are substantially cylindrical, but slightly conical, in form, a further object being to provide a machine of this class which is provided with suitable hoppers or carriers for the staves of which the baskets are composed and also for nails, by which the separate parts of the basket are secured together, and suitable feeding-tubes for the hoops by which the staves are secured together, and operative mechanism for feeding said staves and said hoops into proper position to form a basket and for feeding the nails into position and for driving them throughA said hoops and said staves.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which theaccompan ying drawings form a part, in which-- FigureV l is a partial side View of my improved machine, parts thereof being' broken away to better show the construction; Fig. 2, a partial plan View thereof, a part of the operative mechanism being removed, so as to better show certain features thereof; Fig. 3, a plan View of the nail-hoppers and the operative mechanism connected therewith; Fig. 4, a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a rear end View of the nail-hoppers and the operative mechanism connected therewith, as shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a section on the line G 6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7, a side view of the stavehopper; Fig. 8, a front View thereof; Fig. 9, a side view of the stave-hopper opposite to that of Fig. 7; Fig. l0, apartialsection on the line l0 l0 of Fig. 2; Fig. ll, a side View of the construction shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12, a plan view of a needle-bar which is employed for properly placing the nails, and Fig. 13 astopbar which is used in connection therewith.

In the practice of my invention I provide a suitable frame, one side of which is shown in Fig. l, and which consists of vertical end posts A, a central vertical post a, the end posts and the middle posts being united at the bottom by a longitudinal bar a2, and a top bar a3, and the separate sides are united by suitable cross plates or bars, which are designed to give stability and strength to the machine. The top bars a3 are inclined upwardly and backwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. l, and mounted at the rear ends thereof is a power-shaft B, ont one end of which is mounted a power wheel or pulley h, and I also provide a supplemental frame consisting of a longitudinal bar hi, one end of which is mounted on the shaft B and near the forward end of which is across plate or bar b4, which is rigidly secured thereto and to one of the side bars a3 of the frame.

Mounted between one of the side bars ai"A and the bar b2 of the supplemental frame and adjacent to the rear ends thereof is a sliding cross-head h5, and said sliding cross-head is provided with guides b, which are secured to the bars a3 and b2, between which saidsliding cross-head is located and which serve to guide said cross-head in its movement back and forth in the operation of the machine, as hereinafter described. These features of the construction are best shown in Fig. 2, and mounted between the ends of the side bars a3 of the frame opposite the shaft B is a shaft D, which is provided with a cross-head d,

which carries at its opposite end forms, which consist of a shaft d2 on one end of which is a ratchet-wheel d5, and on which are also mounted three circular heads d4, d5, and d, which constitute the forms proper. The circular heads d4, d5, and cldecrease in size outwardly in the order named, and the last two, d5 and d6, are provided with transverse ribs or flanges (Z7 on their perimeters, by means of which said perimeters are divided into equal spaces, and these ribs or flanges are preferably eleven in number, and formed on the perimeter of the head d4 adjacent to the inner side thereof is an annular groove ds, and a similar annular groove dg is formed on the intermediate'head d5 adjacent to its outer side, and the end of the shaft d2 opposite the IOO ratchet-wheel cl3 is adapted to receive a circular wooden disk or plate C, which is designed to form the bottom of the basket.

Pivotally connected with one of the side bars 0,3 is a lever C2, which is pivot-ally connected with a shaft C3, which passes through said side bars as and which carries at its inner end a disk C4, the inner surface of which is convex or the inner edges thereof beveled or rounded, and formed centrally in the inner surface of said disk is a cavity or recess C5, which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and which is adapted to receive the end of the shaft (Z2, and passing through the opposite bar a3 of the frame are two bolts E, which `are connected by a cross-plate and which pass through the side bar a3, with which they are connected, and are provided at their inner ends with a cross-head E3, which is adapted to bear upon the adjacent end of the shaft d2, and between the cross-head E2 and the bar a3 are spiral springs E4, and passing through said cross-head E2 and into the bar c3 is a screw-threaded bolt E5, which is adapted to regulate the position of said bolts E and the pressure thereof upon the shaft d2, and it will be understood that the cross-head d is free to revolve on the shaft D, or said shaft itself may revolve so as to change the position of the forms whenever desired.

Mounted above the frame and connected with the side bars a3 by means of upright and slightly-inclined standards F is a stave-hopper which consists of vertical standards F2,

which are secured to or mounted on the uprights F and which are provided with vertical slots F3, which are open at their upper ends, in which are placed vertieally-1novable rack-bars F4, which are connected at their lower ends by a cross-plate F5 and which are adapted to be operated by pinions FG, mount` ed on a shaft F7, to which are secured depending rods or arms F8, which are connected at their lower ends by a cross-plate F9, and the rods or bars Fsand the cross-plate Ffconstitute a frame by means of which the staves are held in position, and said frame is adaptved to be held or retained in the desired position by a spring-catch G, which is secured to a cross-plate g.

Mounted transversely of the standards F2, at the back and near the bottom thereof, is a shaft g2, on one end of which is mounted a segmental gear g3, which is provided with an arm g4', which is provided at its lower 'end with a crank g5, which is adapted to operate in a notch or recess formed in a rod gwhich extends backwardly and is pivotally connected with the cross-head b5, and the opposite end of said shaft g2 is provided with a disk g7, which is best shown in Fig. 9 and with which is eccentrically secured a pawl-rod gs,

which is provided with a sprocket g, which is adapted to operate in connection with a ratchet-Wheel H, which is mounted on the shaft F7, and said pawl-rod is provided atits upper end with a weight h, and the segmental gear g3 is adapted to operate in connection with the gear-wheel pinion h2, which is mounted on the end of a shaft h3, with which are connected picker-arms h4, which are provided with outwardly-directed extensions h5, on which are formed teeth or projections h6.

Formed on the upper ends of the uprights F are backwardly-directed arms K,which are connected by cross-plates t and 7a2, and passing downwardly between said arms are ways 7a3, two of which are em ployed,one at each side, the upper ends of which are connected by a rod 754, on which are mounted a set of fingers 7t5, which project upwardly and which are adapted to receive the staves, which are delivered thereto bythe pickers h4'. The lower ends of the fingers b5 are provided with backwardly-directed extensions 7s, and the lower ends of the ways 7c3 terminate slightly above and in front of the circular heads d4, d5, and

d6, which constitute the form properon which the basket is made, and passing through the cross-plate 7c and secured thereto are three hooptubes k7, which extend backwardly and downwardly and each of which is connected with the forward end of one of the drivingtnbes its, three of which are employed, as will hereinafter be described, and the forward side of said hoop'tubes is cutaway, as shown in Fig. l0, in order to provide means where by said hoops maybe brought in contact with the stavcs, as hcreiubefore described.

l also employ a sliding cross-head L,which is mounted between the barb2 of the supplemental frame and the bar asof the frame adjacent thereto and which is in line with the sliding cross-head b5, and pivotally connected therewith is a ratchet-'arm L2, which projects forwardly and is provided with a handle L3 and with a sprocket or tooth L4, which is adapted to operate in connection with the ratchet-wheel cl3, this construction being best shown in Figs. l and 2, and pivot-ally connected with the sliding cross-head L is an eccentric-rod L5, which is connected with an open ring or band L, mounted on an eccentric L7, which is mounted on the shaft B, and pivotally connected with the sliding crosshead b5, hereinbefore described, are two eccentriclrods M, which are also connected with open rings or bands M2, which are mounted on eccentrics M3, which are also mounted on the shaft 1:3, and mounted on said shaftB, at one side ,of the central portion, is another eccentric M, on which is mounted an open ring or band M5, to which is secured a depending arm h G, which is pivoially connected with a lever M7, which is connected with a rod MB, to which are secured two forwardly-directed rods m, each of which is pivotally connected at on? with an upwardly-directed angular arm m3, each of which is provided centrally with a hook or tooth m, and the object of these arms is to place and hold in position the staves while being nailed.

Pivot-ally connected with the sliding crosshead ll is a rod m5, which extends forwardly IIO IZO

and is connected with a rod on, which is connected with a crank-lever m7, which is connected with one of the side bars a3 of the main frame, and said rod m5 is adapted to give the cross-rod m, which extends transversely across the frame, an oscillating movement, and connected with said rod m6 are upwardly and forwardly directed fingers m8, two of which are employed, one of which is shown in full lines in Fig. l, and both of which are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and which are adapted to guide and control the movement of the staves when passing over the ways 7c3, and arranged transversely of the frame and between one of the side bars d2 and the bar b2 of the supplemental frame, hereinbefore described, is a transverse rod m9, with which are pivotally connected three levers m10, one of which is located beneath each of the driving-tubes 7c3, and the ends thereof project below the ends of the hooptubes 757, and said levers m10 are provided with weights m11, which are designed to hold them in the propel' "position, and the object of these levers m10 is to stop the downward movement of the hoops at the beginning of the construction of the basket.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, it will be seen that the outer or forward end of the rod gs, which is connected with the segmental gear g3, is provided with a crank-lever N, which is fulcrumed at N2 and which is adapted to operate in connection with a keeper N5, secured to one of the uprights F, said keeper being provided with a number of notches or recesses, and Whenever it is desirable in the Operation of the machine to discontinue the feeding of the staves without stopping the machine all that is necessary is to operate said lever so as to raise the rod g out of connection with the arm g4 of the segmental gear g3, said rod being provided with a notch or recess in its lower side, which engages with a crank formed on the lower end of said arm g4, as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

Suitably supported above the frame and near the rear end thereof are three hoppers O, which are designed to receive the nails, and said hoppers are provided with diaphragms O2, in the central portion of which are formed openings O3, and said diaphragme are also provided with radial slots which communicate with said central openings, as shown in Fig. 3, said radial slots being adapted to facilitate the feeding of the nails through said central openings in the operation of themachine, as hereinafter described, and said hoppers are supported bya suitable frame mounted on the main frame and which consists of vertical standards O4, side bars O5, and crossplates or bars O.

The lower ends of the hoppers O are provided with tubular extensions O7, which pass through one of the ,cross-bars OG and which are capable of lateral movement therein, and said extensions O7 also pass through the upper and lower cross-plates O8, which are also capable of longitudinal movement crosswise of the machine, the ends thereof being provided with extensions, which are passed through the upper ends of the rear standards O4, and connected with the rear cross-plate O6 is a rod O9, on which is mounted a crosshead P, which is pivotally connected with the upper and lower cross-plates Os at P2, and said rod O8 is provided with a crank P3, with which is connected a rod P4, the outer end of which moves in a cam-groove P5, formed in a collar P6, mounted on the shaft B, as shown in Fig. 2, the object of this construction being to give the hoppers a lateral motion as the shaft B is revolved.

The lower ends of each of the tubular extensions O7 of the hoppers O3 communicate or connect with chutes P7, into which the nails are fed, the oscillating or lateral movement of the hoppers being adapted to feed the nails through the diaphragms C)4 and downwardly through the extensions O7 and into said chutes, and the chutes PT are pivotally connected with one of the cross-.bars O6, as shown at PS, and the chutes P7 are provided with stationary extensions P9, the side walls of which are inwardly curved, as shown in Fig. 3, and said stationary extensions P9 are provided with longitudinal slots R, through which the pointed ends of the nails drop as they pass through said extensions, and said nails are fed downwardly through said slots, and the lower ends of said extensions are provided with heads R2, which are secured to the forward cross-plate O( of the frame on which the hoppers are mounted, and said cross-plate O6 is provided centrally with a slot R2, in the bottom of which is mounted a stop-bar R4, over which is placed a needle-bar R5, and the cross-bar O6 is provided immediately beneath the slots R with transverse grooves R6,which communicate with the groove R2, in which the needle-bar and the stop-bar are placed, and said groove R3 extends longitudinally through the plate R6, at the rear portion thereof, as shown at R7 in Fig. 4.

Secured to one end of the stop-bar R4 is a rod S, to which is secured a crank-lever S2, by means of which said bar may be operated when necessary, and the opposite end of the needle-bar R5 is provided with a rod S3,which is pivotally connected therewith and with a crank-lever S4, which is connected with a rod S5, which is connected with the sliding crosshead L, these features of the construction lbeing best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In the operation of the machine the needlebar R5 is constantly moved back and forth at each revolution of the shaft B, and said needle-bar is provided at one side thereof with an inwardly-directed inclined slot T, which communicates with a circular opening T2, by means of which a prong T3 is formed, and at each-movement of said bar a nail is picked from the slot R in the extension P9 of the chute PT, and said nail passes along the slot T until it reaches the opening T2, when it IOO IIO

drops through an opening T4 in the bar R4 and into a chute T5, provided with a tubular extension T6, one of which connects with each of the driving-tubes lts and with a central bore or passage formed therein, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and l0. Vhen the nails enter the driving-tubes 7.48, they are in position to be operated upon by the driving-pins, which will now be described.

Connected with the sliding cross-head b5 are three driving-rods U, which are best shown in Figs. 2, 10, and 1l, and said cross-heads are provided with openings into which said rods project, and said rods are provided with nuts U2, which are mounted thereon in said openings, and about midway thereof are other nuts U3, and between the nuts U3 and the cross-head are strong spiral springs U4, and the outer ends of said driving -rods pass through suitable keepers U5, which are connected with the cross bar or plate b4 of the supplemental frame, and between said keepers and said cross bar or plate are springs U6, and mounted on the outer ends of said driving-rods are tubular heads U7, through which said rods are adapted to pass and into which the driving-tubes las are screwed, or said driving-tubes may be connected therewith in any desired manner, and each of the driving-rods U is provided with a driving-pin WV, which is secured therein in any desired manner. It will be understood that the driving-pins W may be removed and new ones substituted whenever desired, and the connection with the driving-rods may be made by means of a screw-thread or in any preferred way.

The curved line W2 in Fig. l0 is designed to represent one of the circular heads which constitute the form proper on which the bas ket is made, and in the operation of feeding the nails, as hereinbefore described, the stopbar R4 lnay be so adjusted by means of the crank-lever D2 as to prevent the nails from passing into the slots T of the needle-bar, and thus prevent the feeding of the nails.

The operation will be readily understood from the foregoingdescription, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following statement thereof:

It will be understood that the nails, which are very short, are fed through the chute T5 and through the extension Tfj point foremost, this being accomplished by means of the slots in the extensions P9 of the chute P7 and by means of the needle-bar,constructed as herein described, and in practice the staves from which the baskets are made are placed in the stave-hopper, and the bottom of said hopper -is provided with an equalizer NVS, which is pivotally mounted therein and which is designed to keep both ends of the staves at an equal height. It will be understood that the stave-hopper is given an intermittent vertical movement by means of the shaft g2, the disk or wheel g7 mounted thereon, the pawl-lever gg, the ratchet-wheel H, which is mounted on the shaft F7, and the pinions F", which are mounted on said shaft F7 and which operate in connection with the rack-bars F4, and 'at each upward movement of the stave-hopper the pickers h4 are operated by the segmental gear g3 and the gear wheel orpinion h2 to deposit a stave on the ways 7c3, and said stave is moved downwardly over said ways and deposited between the ribs or flanges @Z7 on the heads (Z5 and d6 of the forms, and said staves are held in proper position on the forms by the rods or arms m3, hereinbefore described; The nails are fed through the hoppers and through the chutes connected therewith, as hereinbefore described, said hoppers being given a lateral lnotion by which this result is accomplished, and said nails pass through the tubular extensions TG of the chutes T5 into the driving-tubes las, and in passing through the extensions P9 of the chutes P7 the nails` are suspended through the slots R by their heads and drop into the chutes T5 point foremost, and when said nails are properly deposited in the driving-tubes t-S the next halft-urn of the shaft B will result in said nails being driven into the hoops and staves, it being understood that at the same time that the staves are fed into position, as hereinbefore described, the hoops are passed downwardly into the hoop-tubes Win10 proper position, and this operation is repeated until the basket is entirely formed and the circular heads d4, d5, and d6, which constitute the form proper, being intermittently revolved by means of the ratchet-wheel d3 and the ratchet rod or lever L2 at each movement of the stave-hopper and of the driver, as hereinbefore described. The springs U4 are intended to be strong enough to drive in the nail, and the other springs UG are designed to let the point of the drivetubes recede, so as to provide means for lapping over the ends of the hoops and for nailing the same, as will be readily understood. The staves and nails drop to their proper places on the backward movement of the cross-heads, and the staves are picked out of the hopper on the forward movement thereof, and the nails are driven into their places in the hoops and staves on the forward movement of the cross-head h5. The forms which are connected with the shaft D have two movements, one a circular or swinging movement on the shaft D, which may carry two or more of said forms, and said forms proper, which consist of the circular heads d4,d5,and d6, are adapted to move aroundwith the spindles or shafts on which they are mounted, being thus operated by the ratchet-wheel cl3 and the arm or lever L2, and the ribs or flanges CF are designed, as hereinbefore stated, to properly place the stavcs, and the annular grooves d8 and di are designed to clench the nails when driven through the hoops and staves, said nails being driven into said grooves, as will be readily understood, and the circular head d6 is not provided with a groove, but the disk C, which constitutes the bottom of the basket, takes the place thereof, and in this case the nails are driven into said disk, and when one basket has been completed the form on which itis placedis turned and anotherform brought into position, and this process may be continued as long as desirable. l

This machine will make a better basket and one in which the staves are more evenly placed than can be made by hand, the nails being driven straight into the grooves d8 and (Z9 and clenched,whereby the staves and hoops are held firmly together, and the machine is automatic in operation, all that is necessary being to keep the hoppers properly provided with nails and staves and to have an attendant to operate the form-carrier.

My invention is not limited to the number of forms which are connected with the shaft D, and it is evident that changes in and modifications of the various elements of construction herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages, and I reserve the right to make all such alterations therein and modifications thereof as fairly come Within the scope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a machine for making baskets, the

combination with a suitable frame, of a revoluble form-carrier, and suitable forms connected therewith, a stave-hopper, which is vertically movable, and provided with devices for removing the staves therefrom, and placing them upon the forms, hoop-tubes through which the hoops are fed, nail-hoppers which are adapted to receive nails, and which are provided With means for feeding the same therefrom and into position, to be driven into said hoops and staves, and devices for driving said nails, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a revoluble form-carrier, and suitable forms connected therewith,a stave-hopper, which is vertically movable, and provided with devices for removing the staves therefrom, and placing them upon the forms, hoop-tubes through which the hoops are fed, nail-hoppers which are adapted to receive nails, and which are provided with means for feeding the same therefrom, and into position,to be driven into said hoops and staves, and devices for driv7 ing said nails, said forms being composed of circular heads, which are mounted on a revoluble shaft, and which are provided with spacing ribs or flanges, between which the staves are placed, substantially as shown and described.

In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame` of a revoluble form-carrier, and suitable forms connected therewith, a stave-hopperwhich is vertically movable, and provided with devices for removing the staves therefrom, and placing them upon the forms, hoop-tubes through which the hoops are fed, nail-hoppers which are adapted to receive nails, and which are provided with means for feeding the same therefrom, and into position to be driven. into said hoops and staves, and devices for driving said nails, said forms being composed of circular heads, which are mounted on a revoluble shaft, and Which are provided with spacing ribs or flanges, between which the staves are placed, and said heads being also provided With annular grooves into which the nails are driven, and by which they are clenched, substantially as shown and. described.

t. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a revoluble form-carrier, and suitable forms connected therewith, a stave-hopper which is vertically movable, and provided with devices for removing the staves therefrom, and placing them upon the forms, hoop-tubes through Which the hoops are fed, nail-hoppers which are adapted to receive nails, and which are provided with means for feeding the same therefrom, and into position, to be driven. into said hoops and staves, and devices for driving said nails, said forms being composed of circular heads, which are mounted on a revoluble shaft, and which are provided with spacing ribs or ianges, between which the staves are placed, and said heads being also provided with annular grooves into which the nails are driven, and by which they are clenched, and the shaft on which the heads are mounted, being adapted to receive at one end, a disk or plate which constitutes the bottom of the basket, and into which nails are also driven, substantially as shown and described.

5. A machine for making baskets, comprising a suitable frame, a revoluble shaft mounted therein, forms connected With'said shaft, devices for giving said sh aft intermittent motion, a stave-hopper mounted on said frame, devices connected with said hopper, and said frame for placing the staves in position in said forms, devices for supplying hoops to the forms, nail-hoppers suitably supported on said frame, and provided with perforated diaphragms, and devices connected with said hoppers and with said frame for feeding said nails into position, to be driven into said hoopsand staves, consisting of driving-rods which are in operative connection with the power-shaft of the machine, and With aslidin g cross-head mounted thereon, and drivingrods provided with driving-pins which operate in connection with driving-tubes into which the nails are fed, substantially as shown and described.

6. A machine for making baskets comprisinga suitable frame, a revoluble shaft mounted therein, forms connected with said shaft, devices for giving said shaftintermittent motion, a stave-hopper mounted on said frame, devices connected With said hopper and said frame for placing the staves in position on said forms, nail-hoppers suitably supported IOO on said frame, and provided with centrally perforated and slotted diaphragms in which are formed radial slots communicating with said central perforations or partitions, and devices connected therewith and with said frame, for feeding said nails into position to be driven into said hoops and staves, substantially as shown and described.

7. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a revoluble form-carrier, revoluble shafts connected therewith, and provided with suitable forms, a ratchet-wheel mounted on said shafts, and means for giving the same an intermittent motion, a suitable stave-hopper, and means for giving the same a vertical iutermittent motion, devices connected with said stave-hopper for removing the stavcs therefrom, and placing them on the forms, hoop-tubes through which the hoops are passed, nail-hoppers suitably mounted on said frame, and provided with chutes through which the nails are fed, and means forgiving said hoppers an oscillating or lateral motion, and devices for lremoving the nails, one at a time, from said chutes, and depositing them in a driving-tube, and driving-rods connected with a sliding cross-head which is operated by eccentrics mounted on the power-shaft, said driving-rods being provided with d riving-pins which-pass through said driving-tubes, and

by which the nails arc driven through the hoops and staves, substantially as shown and described.-

8. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a revoluble form-carrier, revoluble shafts connected therewith, and provided with suitable forms, a ratchetwheel mounted on said shafts, and means for giving the same an intermittentmotion, a suitable stave-hopper, and means for giving the same a vertical intermittent motion, devices connected with said stave-hopper for removing the staves therefrom, and placing them on the frames, hoop -tubes through which the hoops are passed,nailhoppers suitably mounted on said frame, and provided with chutes through Which the nails are fed, and means forgiving said hoppers an oscillating or lateral motion, and devices for removing the nails, one at a time, from said chutes, and depositing them in a driving-tube, and driving-rods connected with a sliding cross-head which is operated by eccentrics mounted on the power-shaft, said driving-rods being provided with dri ving-pins Which pass through said driving-tubes, and by Which the nails are driven through the hoops and staves, said forms being composed of circular heads having spacing ribs or flanges between which the staves are placed, and being also provided with annular grooves intowhich the nails are driven, and the shaft on which said heads are placed, being adapted to receive adisk or plate which constitutes the bottom of the basket, and into which nails are also driven, substantially as shown and described. p

t). In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a revoluble form-carrier,reV0iuble shafts connected therewith, and provided with suitable forms, a ratchet-wheel mounted on said shafts, and

means for giving the same an intermittent' motion, a suitabie stave-hopper, and means for giving the same a vertical intermittent motion, devices connected with said stavehopper for removing the staves therefrom, and placing them on the frames, hoop-tubes through which the hoops are passed, nail-hoppers suitably mounted on said frame, and provided with chutes through which the nails are fed, and means for giving said hoppers an oscillating or lateral motion, and devices for removing the nails, one at a time, from said chutes, and depositing them in a drivingtube, and driving-reds connected with a sliding cross-head which is operated by eccentrics mounted on the power-shaft, said drivingrods being provided with driving-pins which pass through said d ri vin g-tubes, and by which the nails are driven through the hoops and staves, said forms being composed of circular heads having spacing ribs or tianges between which the staves are placed, and being also provided with annular grooves into which the (nails are driven, and the shaft on which said heads are placed, being adapted to receive a disk or plate which constitutes the bottom of the basket, and into which nails are also driven, and means connected with the powershaft for holding said staves into position on said forms, while the nails are being driven through the hoops and staves, substantially as shown and described.

l0. In a machine for making fruit-baskets, the combination .with a suitable frame, of a form-carrier mounted therein, and provided with a plurality ot' forms which consist of circular heads of different diameters, which are mounted on revoluble shaft, a ratchet-wheel mounted on each of said shafts, and means connected therewith, for giving said shafts an intermittent revoluble motion, consisting ot' a ratchet bar or lever which is pivotally connected with a sliding cross-head which is connected with the power-shaft of the machine, by means et' an eccentric, and devices connected with said frame for feeding or placing the stavesin position on said forms, and also for placing the hoops in position, said machine being also provided with nail-hoppers, and means for feeding the nails from said hoppers into position to be driven through said hoops, and said staves, said nails being fed into driving-tubes, and devices connected with the power-shaft for driving said nails into position, substantially as shown and described.

ll. In a machine for making fruit-baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a form-carrier mounted therein, and provided TOO IIO

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with a plurality of forms which consist of circular heads of different diameters, which are mounted on revoluble shafts, a ratchet-wheel mounted on each of said shafts, and means connected therewith, for giving said shafts an intermittent revoluble motion, consisting of a ratchet bar or lever which is pivotally connected with a sliding cross-head which is connected with the power-shaft of the machine, by means of an eccentric, and devices connected with said frame for feeding or placing the staves in position on said forms, and also for placing the hoops in position, said machine being also provided with nail-hoppers, and means for feeding the nails from said hoppers into position to be driven through said hoops, and said staves, said nails being fed into-driving-tubes and devices connected with the power-shaft for driving said nails into position, consisting of eccentrics mounted on said power-shaft, which are connected with a sliding cross-head, and driving-rods also connected with said cross-head, and with the feeding-tubes into which the nails are fed, said driving-rods being provided with driving-pins which are adapted to be driven into or through said driving-tubes, substantially as shown and described. l

l2. In a machine for making fruit-baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a form-carrier mounted therein, and provided with a plurality of forms each consisting of circular heads of different diameters, mounted on a revoluble shaft, a ratchet-wheel on said shaft, and means connected therewith, for giving said shaft an intermittent revoluble motion, consisting of a ratchet bar or lever which is pivotally connected with a sliding cross-head which is connected with the power-shaft of the lnachine, by means of an eccentric, and devices connected with said frame for feeding or placing the staves in position on said forms, and also for placing the hoops in position, said machine being also provided with nail-hoppers, and means for feeding the nails from said hoppers into position, to be driven through said hoops, and said staves, said nails being fed into drivingtubes and devices connected with the powershaft for driving said nails into position consisting of eccentrics mounted on said powershaft, which are connected with a sliding cross-head, and driving-rods also connected with said cross-head, and with the feedingtubes into which the nails are fed, said driving-rods being provided with driving-pins which are adapted to be driven into or through said driving-tubes, said driving-rods being spring-operated, and means connected with the power-shaft for holding the staves in position on said forms, substantially as shown and described.

13. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of vertically-revoluble forms which are mounted on a revoluble carrier, devices for giving said forms an intermittent revoluble motion, a suitable stave-hopper also mounted on said frame, and capable of vertical intermittent movement, pickers and other devices for removing the staves from the hopper, and depositing them on the forms, feeding-tubes through which the hoops are passed, which terminate adjacent to said forms, nail-hoppers suitably supported on said frame, and in operative connection with the power-shaft of the machine, and provided with devices whereby they are given a lateral or oscillating motion, chutes connected with said hoppers, through which the nails are fed, and provided with extensions, each of which is provided with a slot in the bottom thereof, means for feeding the nailsfsuccessively from said slots into other chutes, which are provided with tubes which communicate with driving-tubes, and suitable driving devices connected with the power-shaft of the machine, and with a sliding cross-head whereby the nails' are driven through said drivingtubes into and through said hoops and staves, substantially as shown and described.

11i. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of vertically-revoluble forms which are mounted on a revoluble carrier, devices for giving said forms anintermittent revoluble motion, a suitable stave-hopper also mounted on said frame, and capable of vertical intermittent movement, pickers and other devices for removing the staves from the hopper, and depositing them on the forms, feeding-tubes through which the hoops are passed, which terminate adjacent to said forms, nail-hoppers suitably supported on said frame, and in operative connection with the power-shaft of the 1n achine,and provided with devices Whereby they are given a lateral or oscillating motion, chutes connected with said hoppers, through which the nails are fed, and provided with extensions, each of which is provided with a slot in the bottom thereof, means for feeding the nails successively from said slots into other chutes, which are provided with tubes which communicate with driving-tubes, and suitable driving devices connected with the power-shaft of the machine, and with a sliding cross head whereby the nails are driven through said driving-tubes into and through said hoops and staves, said driving devices consisting of driving-rods which are connected with a sliding cross-head, and of eccentrics connected with the power-shaft, and with said cross-head, said driving-rods being provided with driving-pins, which eX- tend in to and through said driving-tubes,sub stantially as shown and described.

l5. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of revoluble forms which are mounted on a revoluble carrier, devices for giving said forms an intermittent revoluble motion, a suitable stave-hopper also mounted on said frame, and

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capable of vertical intermittent movement, pickers and other devices for removing the staves from the hopper and depositing them on the forms, feeding-tubes through which the hoops are passed, which terminate adjacent to said forms, nail-hoppers suitably supported on said frame, and in operative connection with the power-shaft of the machine, and provided with devices whereby they are given a lateral or oscillating motion, chutes connected with said hoppers, through which the nails are fed, and provided with extensions, each of which is provided with a slot in the bottom thereof, means for feeding the nails successively-from said slots into other chutes, which are provided with tubes which communicate with driving-tubes, and suitable driving devices connected with the powershaft of the machine, and with a sliding crosshead whereby the nails are driven through said driving-tubes into and through said hoops and staves, said driving devices consisting of drivin g-rods which are connected with a sliding cross-head, and of eccentrics connected with the power-shaft, and with said crosshead, said driving-rods being provided with driving-pins, which extend into and through said driving-tubes, and devices connected with the power-shaft for holding the staves in position on the forms, while the nails are being driven, and said forms being also adapted to receive a disk or plate which constitu tes the bottom of the basket, and into which nails are also driven through the hoops and staves, substantiallyas shown and described.

1G. In a machine for making baskets, the combination with a suitable frame, of a revoluble form-carrier, said form-carrier being provided with revoluble spindles or rods, on which are mounted circular heads which constitute the form proper, said circular heads being provided with iianges or ribs by which the staves of the basket are spaced, and with annular grooves formed therein, and each of said spindles being also provided with a ratchet-wheel, and means connected therewith forgiving the same an intermittent revoluble motion, suitable means for feeding staves into position on said forms, and for holding them thereon, while being nailed, hoop-tubes through which hoops are passed into position to be nailed onto said staves, nail-hoppers suitably mounted upon said frame, and provided with means for feeding the nails into position to be driven into said hoops and staves, spring-operated drivingrods which pass through suitable keepers, and into driving-tubes into which the nails are fed, said driving-rods being connected with a sliding cross-head, which is in operative connection with eccentrics mounted on the power-shaft, substantially as shown and described.

17. A machine for making baskets comprising a frame, a form-carrier connected therewith, forms connected with said carrier, de-

vices for giving said carrier intermittent motion, a stave-hopper mounted 011 said frame, and devices connected therewith for placing the staves upon the respective forms, tubes adjacent to said stave-hopper through which the hoops are passed, nail-hoppers which are suitably mounted and provided with means for giving the same a lateral and oscillating motion, devices for feedingthe nails into'position to be driven into said hoops and staves, and drivers by which the nails are driven into said hoops and staves, said drivers consisting of a sliding cross-head, which is connected by means of eccentrics with the power-shaft of themachine, and driving-rods connected with said cross-head, said nails being f ed from said hoppers into a tube which is connected with said driving-rods, and through which passes a driving-pin, substantially as shown and described.

18. A machine for making baskets comprising a suitable frame, a form-carrier connected therewith, forms connected therewith,a stavehopper also mounted on said frame, and devices connected therewith for placing the staves on the respective forms, hoop-tubes adjacent to said stave-hopper through which the hoops are passed, nail-hoppers which are suitably mounted on said frame, and provided with means for giving the same an oscillating or lateral motion, devices for feeding the nails into position to be driven into said hoops and staves, and drivers by which the nails are driven into said hoops and staves, consisting of a sliding cross-head which is connected by means of eccentrics with the powershaft of the machine, and driving-rods connected with said cross-head, said-nails being fed into a tube which is connected with said drivingrods, and through which passes a driving-pin, and devices for operating the form-carrier and revolving the same as each stave is placed in position, substantially as shown and described.

19. A machine for making baskets,compris ing a frame, a form-support carried by said frame, a plurality of forms connected with said support, means for placing staves and hoops in position upon the respective forms, mechanism for applying securing devices to the staves and hoops, and mechanism operating to throw one form into operative position with relation to said securing devices as the other form is withdrawn from said operative position, substantially as and for the purpose set'forth.

20. A machine for making baskets,compris ing a frame, a form-support carried by said frame, a revoluble form connected with said support, and means for moving said support to and from the stave and hoop applying and nailing mechanism, in combination with means for placing said staves and hoops upon the form, mechanism for feeding nails into position with relation to the staves and hoops when the same are upon the revoluble form,

and driving devices operating with respect to my invention I have signed my name, in press the action of the nail-feeding mechanism to ence of the subscribing Witnesses, this 2d day drive said nails through the staves and hoops of June, 1896.

when the same are carried into a relative po- WARREN RENSALAER VAN VLIE'l;

5 sition by the movement of the revoluble form, Witnesses substantially as and for the purpose set forth. HARNER HOFFMAN,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as B. F. MILLER. 

